Question

What are the disadvantages of cross-cultural research in psychology?

Answer 1

Researcher is not familiarized with diff. cultures; ethnocentrism.

Explanation:

Cross-cultural studies are studies in which researchers try to figure out whether a certain behavior, belief, practice, etc. transcends cultural boundaries or differs from culture to culture. The disadvantages of these studies include:

1. A researcher is unlikely to know much about individual societies when comparing a lot of societies from different parts of the world.
2. Ethnocentrism is the belief that a society, group, or culture is superior to all others. Researchers may display such beliefs, and this may cause bias.

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Note: Do NOT confuse cross-cultural studies with cross-sectional studies.

• Cross-sectional studies are studies in which people of different ages and backgrounds are compared with one another. It differs with the goals of cross-cultural studies (see above).